Chapter 310: Mei’s Departure Day
Kurisu, seeing the message, immediately enlisted the help of a necklace craftsman. Once completed, Kurisu summoned the Summoning Beast, and the Summoning Beast returned to their world, before performing a Reverse Summoning, appearing before Aoki.
That's how Aoki came to possess the necklace.
The entire process seemed simple on the surface, but Aoki knew he had carefully orchestrated it all. It wasn't just the time and effort, but also the feelings he put into his letter to Kurisu.
Aoki thought that since he was betrothed to Mei, or engaged to her, he should at least give her something. Granting Mei access to a Summoning Beast was a good thing, but he felt it was still a bit lacking. That's why he decided to give her the necklace.
Something she could carry with her, even when she was far away.
"How about it?" Mei asked with a smile after the necklace was put on. Her hand gently touched the pendant, and her eyes briefly glanced at Aoki out of the corner of her eye.
"It looks good on you," Aoki said honestly, his voice low but steady, a little choked.
"Of course, everything I wear is always good," Mei said with a faint smile, as she turned and looked at him with a teasing glint in her eyes, full of confidence as usual—but somehow, that night, her expression felt more... sincere.
"Yes, yes." Aoki laughed softly, looking down slightly, as if he were trying to hide the faint blush on his cheeks.
Tetsu and Ajisai, watching the scene, remained silent, staring at the couple. No comment, no sound. Just silence, but they both knew full well that this moment was anything but ordinary.
"Thank you..." Mei said, gazing warmly at Aoki. Her eyes were slightly misty, though she didn't let the tears fall. Because she was Mei—always strong, always calm—there was something soft about her that night.
"It's okay..." Aoki said, looking at Mei with a faint smile, his eyes momentarily deepening. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he knew that moment would be unforgettable.
They chatted for a few dozen minutes before returning upstairs and falling asleep. Their conversation was unimportant—about trivial things like food, the night sky, or the way Tetsu snored. But it all felt... warm.
...
...
...
The next morning, Aoki woke to the sound of sounds outside. The sound of footsteps on wood, the clink of cutlery, and the distant sound of a ship.
Aoki opened his eyes slowly. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating part of the room with a soft golden hue. The morning air carried the scent of the sea—salt, seaweed, and damp wood. The pier village was fully awake.
Aoki yawned briefly, then sat up and stared out the window.
Morning had arrived.
Without thinking, Aoki immediately woke Tetsu.
"Uh... Morning, boss?" Tetsu said with a yawn, his face wrinkled like unironed cloth.
"Hurry up and get ready. I'll wake Mei and Ajisai. Go get cleaned up, Mei's leaving on the boat this morning," Aoki said, quickly walking to open the door.
"Right!" Tetsu nodded and walked to the bathroom, still half-asleep.
Just as Aoki was about to wake Mei, the door to her room opened, and Mei and Ajisai quickly emerged. They looked fresh, their hair neatly combed, and the faint scent of soap wafted through the air as they passed.
"Morning, did you sleep well?" Aoki said, greeting Mei.
"Morning, yes, I slept well. I'm very happy to receive a gift from you, after all," Mei said with a smile, and once again, Mei's hand touched the pendant on her chest.
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